Comparison

NFC Utils vs MeshControl Remote Desktop

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NFC Utils

Features
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Read, write and configure NFC tags with your iPhone's built-in NFC, a compatible USB CCID reader, or an ACS ACR1555U or ACR1255U-J1 Bluetooth reader. NFC Utils is free, with no ads, no account and no cloud service. iPad has no NFC antenna and needs a reader. Choose a reader by name in Settings. The app remembers it and reconnects when available. Read a Tag Info shows chip, UID, memory, records and protection where available. Reads select the matching Tools profile. Full Scan maps memory and marks locks. On-device NXP signature results include Genuine NXP, Not Verified, Not Read and Not Supported. TagTamper reports Inactive, Intact or Broken. Use Copy Text or Copy JSON, share a file, or revisit History. Auto Read takes the next tag through an external reader. ePassport Read ICAO 9303 passport chips for holder details, the photo and any signature image. Enter the document number, birth date and expiry from the printed machine readable zone (MRZ), or paste the MRZ. Access uses BAC or PACE. Data Genuine checks file hashes and the issuer's signature. Chip Original tests private key possession when both the chip and app support the check. Signer checks the chain against bundled country roots, refreshed each release. Checks run on your device and do not replace a border check. The app cannot read fingerprints. Remembered unlock fields stay on your device. Write and Edit Write URL, text, phone, email, SMS, Wi-Fi and contact records. Load From Tag opens a message to edit. Erase Tag clears NDEF; Format as NDEF prepares an unformatted tag. Pick a tool, fill its card, press its button and present the tag. A green or red result replaces the card. Enable Confirm Irreversible Actions to preview password changes, locks and resets. Permanent ones show This Cannot Be Undone. NTAG 21x Tools • Write and edit records on NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216. • Set, change or remove a password; set protected pages, PACK and the wrong-attempt limit. Keep reads public while restricting writes. Passwords travel in the clear and do not encrypt data. • Counter and Mirror enables read counting and mirrors the UID, count or both into a URL. • Lock User Memory and Lock Configuration are permanent. NTAG 424 DNA Tools • Keys checks and changes AES-128 keys 0 to 4 through EV2 secure messaging. Access Rights sets file permissions to Free, a key or Never. • Factory Reset clears NDEF and resets file settings and known keys when key 0 and file rights permit. • Secure Dynamic Messaging mirrors the UID and counter into a URL with a CMAC and optional AES-128 encrypted data. Decode SDM URL checks its CMAC with your key. ICODE SLIX2 Tools • Tag Passwords tests, changes or locks Read, Write, Privacy, and EAS and AFI passwords. Protection splits memory at a pointer block and protects reads or writes in each region. • Set AFI for inventory filtering and DSFID for data format. Check, enable or disable EAS and write its 16-bit ID. • Enable Privacy hides the tag from phones. This app cannot wake it. • Related ICODE chips get tools their hardware supports. Raw Commands Every profile lists this tool. Send hex frames or use read-only presets such as Get Version. See sent bytes, responses and decoded fields where supported. A supported command channel is required. No confirmation appears. Your Display Use the full app on iPhone Duo's front display when closed, or inner display upright or on its side. In landscape on iPhone Duo or iPad, open the built-in guide beside the app. It follows your current page. The new design uses Liquid Glass for buttons and dialogs. Languages Choose English, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, French, Korean, Portuguese or Japanese. Privacy No analytics track your scans. Tag data, passwords and keys are stored on your device. Device backups can include History. You decide what to copy, export or share. https://www.nfcmint.com/privacy Learn More The guide explains the tools, settings and permanent changes. https://nfcutils.nfcmint.com/guide/

About

MeshControl Remote Desktop

Features
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MeshControl lets you see and control the computers managed by your own MeshCentral server, right from your iPhone or iPad. REMOTE DESKTOP BUILT FOR TOUCH - Pointer mode works like a trackpad; touch mode clicks where you tap - Pinch to zoom, two-finger right click, three-finger scroll - Extra key row with Esc, Tab, Ctrl, Alt, Win, arrows and F1–F12 - Full hardware keyboard, mouse and trackpad support on iPad - Adjustable image quality for slow mobile connections SECURE BY DESIGN - Sign in with a MeshCentral login token or with username and password - Two-step verification with your authenticator app - Credentials stay in the iOS keychain, protected by Face ID or Touch ID - The app connects only to your server: no accounts, no tracking, no ads NO SERVER YET? A step-by-step guide inside the app shows how to set up a free MeshCentral server on Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker or Raspberry Pi. FREE AND FULL The free version includes remote control with mouse and keyboard. MeshControl Full adds screen selection on multi-monitor computers, the actions menu (Ctrl+Alt+Del, switch window, copy and paste, Task Manager and more) and upcoming features such as file transfer. Full is available as a weekly auto-renewable subscription or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. MeshControl requires a MeshCentral server that allows the app (see the support page). MeshControl is an independent app and is not affiliated with the MeshCentral project. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://arksystems.it/meshcontrol/privacy/

Screenshots

NFC Utils4 screens
MeshControl Remote Desktop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Utils at none against MeshControl Remote Desktop's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MeshControl Remote Desktop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. NFC Utils asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
NFC Utils versus MeshControl Remote Desktop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNFC UtilsMeshControl Remote Desktop
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe NFC Mint LLCLUCIO ANGELI

In-app purchases

None

NFC Utils

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MeshControl Remote Desktop

Subscriptions1
  • MeshControl Full Weekly$0.997 Days
One-time1
  • MeshControl Full Lifetime$17.99

Questions

Is NFC Utils free?
NFC Utils is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MeshControl Remote Desktop free?
MeshControl Remote Desktop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NFC Utils or MeshControl Remote Desktop have ads?
Neither NFC Utils nor MeshControl Remote Desktop shows ads.

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